The Tennessee Titans' offensive line isn't likely to get much positive attention considering the struggles they have had this season, so while it isn't a shock if you have been paying attention, it still may be surprise to see some compliments for any member of this unit.
That is exactly what we got though when ESPN dropped their 2023 "All-Youngster" team with the top players in the NFL under the age of 24 as rookie guard Peter Skoronski made the list. Skoronski was listed on the second team by Matt Miller and Matt Bowen.
"The No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Skoronski has made the transition from college left tackle to NFL left guard over eight starts this season, securing a pass block win rate of 87.1%. He is no doubt still acclimating to the new position on an offense that has been under duress this season, but the potential is through the roof with his play power, patience and dominant run-blocking traits."
Again, it is fair to be a bit surprised. It's been an abysmal year of blocking for the Titans and Skoronski has been a mixed bag at times, allowing a sack and 12 pressures in eight games, but we have seen, especially of late, Skoronski show flashes of what was expected when he was drafted.
Skoronski has been nails the last three weeks, starting with the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10. Skoronski has allowed zero sacks and only two pressures total in that three-game stretch.
Skoronski struggled a bit in the middle of the season, but there are some important things to keep in mind here. Skoronski's season was interrupted after one week due to an unexpected appendectomy. Skoronski himself admitted it affected him and he lost some strength during his recovery.
In Week 1, Skoronski has one of the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL period. Earning the eight-highest grade among all position groups on the line according to Pro Football Focus. Not a bad start.
Then the surgery hit and Skoronski didn't return until Week 5. Obviously, it would take anyone some time to get back into playing shape after missing a month due to having an organ removed, but for an offensive lineman who is required to move other large men against their will, the loss of strength has to make it even more difficult to get back midseason.
Skoronski's recent string of good play, combined with the logical true recovery time, not just to play, but to feel normal, make the Week 1 debut feel a lot more real. That makes it easy to see why Skoronski would be selected as a young standout.
It also has to be noted, that Skoronski has played to the worst left tackle position in the NFL for most of the season. Whether it be Andre Dillard, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Dillon Radunz or Jaelyn Duncan, it would be fair to say that those four have combined to play the worst left tackle in the NFL.
Some say offensive lines require more chemistry than any other position group in the NFL. If that is the case, Skoronski was fighting an uphill battle from the start. A tough feat for a rookie.
As mentioned earlier, if you are watching closely, there is a flower growing out of the pavement that is the Titans' offensive line. Despite the condition, Skoronski is growing into a player that was clearly worth the pick that was used to get him.
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